Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
http://bbi.syr.edu
One–Stop Toolkit
Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
5 January 2007
Good morning and Happy New Year!
Below please find the web site and publication of the week, as well as other resources that we hope will be useful as you work on systems change activities to help improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
To subscribe and / or view past resources of the week archives, access: www.onestoptoolkit.org and click on the link to "Resources of the Week" on the right hand side of the home page.
To view an indexed list of the resources of the week by subject matter, visit the L.P.H.D.C. web site at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/resources/wig/default.asp. It currently includes 20 categories, covering over 300 annotated references. Each category opens to a new window with each Resource of the Week which covered material in that area.
Have a good day and weekend!
Laura Farah
Program Associate
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
P: 617–489–0086
F: 617–489–1374
[ E–mail Lgleneck@mail.law.uiowa.edu ]
[ E–mail LFarah8@aol.com ]
[ http://www.onestoptoolkit.org ]
[The full announcement is located under the section heading "Upcoming Events of Interest."]
As Navigators, you are always looking for information on the business case of hiring people with disabilities to share with your One–Stop Business Services team and in your outreach to employers. Check out the power point presentations from this archived webcast which features the Center for Workforce Preparation / U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a family–owned and operated business in rural Howell, Michigan that provides employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. First, learn more from The Center for Workforce Preparation on how small businesses can offer more flexible opportunities to people with disabilities. Then, learn from a small business owner, Steve Korte of A & F Wood Products, on his experiences hiring people with disabilities. Mr. Korte shares his initial concerns and questions and then shares the answers they learned on hiring people with disabilities, including support, training, and a workplace environment that is user–friendly. Mr. Korte also provides Take–Aways (lessons learned) to disability providers such as, ‘treat the business as if we are your customer too’ and ‘be responsive to the business needs’, as well as Take–Aways for businesses like, ‘don’t give up after one try’ and ‘have high expectations from your workers’. This information may help you as you continue to gather information on the business case for hiring people with disabilities for presentations or trainings with your One–Stops and employers.
Access the U.R.L. to view the video and video transcript, as well as to download a copy of the Power Point presentation.
DATE: Requests must be received by March 1, 2007
The Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, is looking for young leaders ages 16 to 28 to participate in the 2007 National Youth Transit Dialogue July 27 – 28 in Washington, D.C. Participants will discuss transportation issues related to the A.D.A. with national disability leaders, national public officials, and other active young leaders with disabilities from across the country. Access the U.R.L. for more information including how to apply to participate in this conference. Airfare, hotel lodgings, meals and special services expenses will be covered for participants by the O.C.R..
For more information, contact Bill or Rory at E–mail youthtalk@cilberkeley.org or (866) 496–1001.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (C.M.S.) announces its 7th New Freedom Initiative Conference, "Access to Community Living: Promoting Independence and Choice," which is a key pillar of C.M.S’ vision for a person–centered long term services and supports system for the future. The 2007 conference will focus on the policies, programs and tools, including opportunities authorized by the Deficit reduction Act of 2007, available to shape and carry out the vision.
The agenda will include presentations on C.M.S’s Roadmap for Reform and perspectives from consumers and advocates. Concurrent sessions will address components of programs that promote independence and choice. Participants will have opportunities to meet with C.M.S. officials to discuss the roadmap, the options available and give their recommendations for reform.
Registration: Participants must apply to register for the conference. C.M.S. will approve up to ten registrants from each state. Additional applicants may be approved once all states have had a chance to register. C.M.S. encourages participation by Medicaid directors and staff, grantee project directors and staff who work on your grants or who are working on programs that promote home and community based services, consumers and other stakeholders.
Access the U.R.L. to begin your application process and select "Register on–line" at the bottom of the page. Please do not make airline or hotel reservations until your application has been approved by C.M.S.. You will receive an email confirmation once it has been approved.
For more information, contact Jen Tabor at the National Academy for State Health Policy (E–mail jtabor@nashp.org or 207–874–6524) if you have questions.
This webcast focuses on Learn about the Center for Workforce Preparation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and how local chambers of commerce play a pivotal role as a workforce intermediary. In addition, it also shows the challenges small business owners face in maintaining their competitiveness and how a trusted source can be an invaluable partner in ensuring a quality workforce.
Cathy Healy manages the When Work Works initiative funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, a partnership with the Families and Work Institute and the Twiga Foundation is introducing employers in 24 communities to workplace flexibility and effective workplaces as a strategy for recruiting and retaining workers.
Steve Korte is co–owner of A & F Wood Products, a family–owned and operated business in rural Howell, Michigan, that provides employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities through accessibility support, training, and a workplace environment that is user–friendly.
Access the U.R.L. to view the video and video transcript, as well as to download a copy of the Power Point presentation.
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities’ (NICHCY) Transition Suite, a five–part suite of online resources, looks closely at and connects users with a wide range of transition materials. Its five parts are: Transition 101, Transition for Parents, Transition for Students, Transition for Professionals, and Transition for Students with Disabilities.
Mental illnesses are very common. They are also widely misunderstood. People with mental illnesses are frequently stigmatized by others who think it’s an uncommon condition. The truth is, mental illness can happen to anybody. Arm yourself with the facts, then use your knowledge to educate others and reach out to those around you with mental illness. Understanding and support are powerful, and they can make a real difference in the life of a person who needs them. Access the website to learn some common myths along with the facts about mental illness.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) launched the Mental Health National Anti Stigma Campaign to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. The prevalence of serious mental health conditions in this age group is almost double that of the general population, yet young people have the lowest rate of help–seeking behaviors. This group has a high potential to minimize future disability if social acceptance is broadened and they receive the right support and services early on.
The goal of State Vocational Rehabilitation (V.R.) agencies is to assist individuals with disabilities to become employed. To that end, V.R. agencies (with the support of their federal partners) stand ready to provide employers with qualified job candidates with disabilities to meet the workforce needs of American business. Access the U.R.L. and click on a link to a state to connect to the person in a given state whose job it is to build and maintain employer relationships. In addition, you can also find examples of how some state V.R. agencies approach their relationship with business.
The U.S. Department of Labor launched this website through the CareerOneStop project designed to provide quick and easy access to workforce information and services to aid military service members and veterans transitioning to civilian careers. This new addition to the CareerOneStop portal offers selections for service members, military spouses, businesses, and workforce professionals. The site includes a link to resources on injuries and disabilities.
Hire Disability Solutions, L.L.C. is a national leader in bringing together top companies and qualified men and women with disabilities. We are committed to serving business needs while simultaneously breaking down barriers. By working with Hire Disability Solutions, businesses can post their job vacancies and tap into a pool of skilled workers, and individuals with a disability can post resumes and access thousands of jobs from companies that are specifically trying to reap the benefits of having a diverse workforce.
On this website, you can access links to data from the U.S. Census Bureau on disabilities including the reports, briefs and research papers; how disability data is collected; access to disability data to create your own tables and cross tabulations; FAQs; and links other agencies or organizations that provide disability data and information.
The technologies used in information and communication products are advancing at an ever increasing rate. Devices are getting smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more capable. Electronics are being incorporated into practically everything, making a wide variety of products programmable, and thus more flexible. Computing power is increasing exponentially. What requires a supercomputer one year can be done on a child’s game player 15 years later.
There are many emerging technology trends that affect technologies used by people with disabilities. Four that will have particular impact on information and communication technologies (I.C.T.) are:
This policy paper explores key trends in information and communication technology; highlights the potential opportunities and problems these trends present for people with disabilities; and suggests some strategies to maximize opportunities and avoid potential problems and barriers. The policies we adopt today will determine whether the technology of the future empowers people with disabilities—enabling them to work, learn, communicate, shop, and live independent, productive lives as full and equal members of society.
The astounding growth of new high speed broadband, wireless, and Internet–based technologies in recent years has begun to dramatically change communications in America. Previously reliant on traditional analog–based telephone services for all their telecommunication needs, Americans now have at their disposal a plethora of versatile Internet–based and digital communication technologies that offer innovative and creative ways to communicate and receive information in virtually every walk of life.
This N.C.D. report explores the need to adopt legislative and regulatory safeguards to guarantee equal access by people with disabilities to evolving high–speed broadband, wireless, and Internet–based technologies. Experience shows that as these technological innovations stake their claim in American society, market forces will not be sufficient to ensure such access. Rather, Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and other federal agencies will need to step up to ensure that these communications technologies remain accessible to and usable by all Americans with disabilities.